Curtains come down on U-23 tourney Dubai Wednesday March 29, 2017: The Thai U-23 national team have lifted the title of the Dubai International Football Tournament which was concluded at the Dubai Police Officers Club on Tuesday. The event was staged from March 20 to 28, 2017 by IAST Sports under the supervision of the UAEFA with six sides in the fray including hosts UAE alongside Jordan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and China. The match was streamed live by Dubai Sports Channel. The UAE Olympic national team finished fourth in the first test with six points after beating Singapore 4-0 and prevailing 10 over Jordan while having lost 1-2 and 0-1 to Thailand and China respectively. The closing ceremony was attended by HE Saeed Al Tenaiji, deputy chairman of the UAEFA, Mosallam Al Kathiri, FA noard member, Ebrahim Al Nimr, acting secretary general of the UAEFA, Obaid Mubarak Al Shamsi, technical manager of the UAEFA and Ali Hamad Al Badwawi. The final day of the championship saw UAE losing to China 0-1 from a penalty kick as Thailand defeated Singapore 2-0 and Jordan outclassed Malaysia 4-0. Abdulmajid Al Nimr, head coach of the UAE U-23 national team admitted that they have generated many benefits from the competition in which strong sides have participated. “This was the first gathering for the Olympic squad with the current formation. Some players did know show their all while the technical manager and his staff aimed at giving chance for the whole shortlisted boys,” he said. “The first impression about the performance of the team which took shape in our minds is promising and the decision is to tailor another preparation plan after sitting with the national teams committee and department and brief them about the outcomes of the training camp as well as our appearance in the competition,” he added., “The boys will take part in the international tournament in Qatar in the month of Ramadan and will definitely be preceded by a gathering. The head coach and his assistants will also keep eye on the players within the age0group in the pro-league, reserve league and first division league to make the right choice of the final short list of the Olympic national team which will carry the country’s hopes in the Qualifiers in Al Ain in July,” he clarified. Finally, Al Nimr thanked the FA for assigning him to take over the job and lead the boys during this stage as represented by HE Marwan bin Ghalita, Chairman of the UAEFA and his borthers the members of the FA board of directors. Elsewhere, Khaled Ba Wazeer snatched the top scorer’s title after scoring three goals while the Thai player Shu Yu was elected the best player and the Jordanian keeper Obaid Al Arab was voted the best keeper.
UAE ladies receive big boost Dubai/ Thursday March 30, 2017: According to Amal Bu Shallak, FA board member and member of the AFC women football committee, the participation of the women senior football national team in the AFC Qualifiers in Tajikistan from April 3 to 17, 2017 should be positive and satisfactory. “This is the first appearance for the UAE women in the qualifiers which follows various stages in the buildup process. We have interesting players and the head coach and his assistants have did every move to fine tune them,” she said. Bu Shallak and Ibrahim Al Nimr, acting secretary general of the UAEWFA have met with the women senior football national team delegation before heading for Tajikistan to carry the country’s hope under the supervision of the head coach Samir Al Andalusi. Bu Shallak told the players: “We are not asking you to make miracles or achieve the impossible, but to fight hard inside the pitch. We want you to live up to the expectation with the highest degree of responsibility. You are representing the nation and have reached a good level of progress during a very short period of time.” Bu Shallak urged the girls to do well and make good account of them pointing out that she is confident of their capability to perform to their best. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Al Nimr, acting secretary general of the UAEFA conveyed the greetings and good wishes of HE engineer Marwan bin Ghalita, chairman of the UAEFA and said: “Football is not winning or losing, by a game to be enjoyed while sending a humanitarian message. “The UAEFA is supporting the national teams and the women football is not an exception. We are keen to see our girls making good results and showing the best of them,” he said. UAE girls have been drawn in Group-A alongside Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Tajikistan and Filipinas. The top side advance directly to the finals while Jordan advance as a host. The girls in white fly on Friday evening to Tajikistan.
AL AHLI CROWNED ARABIAN GULF CUP CHAMPIONS 01/04/2017: His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee and His Highness Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Al Shabab Club witnessed the Arabian Gulf Cup final between Al Ahli and Al Shabab that took place Saturday night at Al Nasr Club's Al Maktoum Stadium and saw Al Ahli emerge 2-0 winners. Ibrahim Abdul Malik, Secretary-General of the General Authority for Youth Welfare and Sports; Matar Al Tayer, Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council; Abdulla Nasser Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Pro League Committee, Saeed Al Tunaiji, Vice-President of the UAE Football Association; Khalifa Sulaiman, President of the Interim Committee to Oversee Al Ahli Club and Abdul Hamid Al Mestaka, Member of the PLC's Executive Office, Head of the Technical Committee crowned Al Ahli champions of the Arabian Gulf Cup for the third time in their history. Al Ahli confirmed Ahmad Khalil transfer to Al Jazira thats make the AG Cup the last trophy he left as Al Ahli captain
ROUND 22 05/04/2017 DIBBA VS AL JAZIRA EMIRATES VS AL WAHDA 06/04/2017 AL AIN VS AL DHAFRA AL AHLI VS AL WASL
AG LEAGUE RETURNS AFTER FOUR-WEEK BREAK 04/04/2017 Following a four week break to make way for the UAE national team's matches against Japan and Australia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Arabian Gulf League is back to action as round 22 of the competition, designated the "Autism Support Round", kicks-off on Wednesday the 5th of April and continues over three days The 14 Arabian Gulf League teams enter this round with contrasting fortunes and ambitions; recently crowned Arabian Gulf Cup champions, Al Ahli, sit in second place with 47 points and will be looking to mount a late title challenge by closing the 6-points gap with leaders Al Jazira. 44 points Al Wasl and 43 points Al Ain both maintain slim title hopes but will keep an eye for any late collapse from Al Jazira while also taking part in an intense race for AFC Champions League spots. As many as six teams are battling at the other end of the table to avoid relegation with just five rounds to go until the end of the league campaign. Just eight points separate 21-points Hatta in ninth place from 13-points Emirates in the highest relegation place. With Sharjah, Dibba and Kalba occupying the three places in between with 20, 18 and 17 points respectively, while bottom club Bani Yas are still mathematically in the race with their 11 points tally merely six points adrift of the last survival spot. Round 22 kicks off on Wednesday afternoon with two 17:45 games; second bottom Emirates welcome fifth placed Al Wahda to Ras Al Khaima with the hosts eyeing a victory against an Al Wahda side without much to play for, to propel them away from the relegation positions. Champions-elect Al Jazira travel to Fujairah with the target of adding three points to tighten their grip on the title as they face 11th-placed Dibba who are looking to secure their Arabian Gulf League status by widening the 5-points-gap that separates them from the relegation zone. Day 2 starts at 17:50 at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium where fourth-placed Al Ain fight to avoid missing out on the AFC Champions League for the first time since 2012 as they host mid-table Al Dhafra. Both teams enter the game on the back of a 2-0 defeats in the previous round, the hosts had lost to Al Jazira, effectively ending their title hopes, while The Western Knights suffered the same result against Al Ahli in round 21. The latter host Al Wasl in an intense Dubai derby at Rashid Stadium at 20:45 as the two teams chase a continental qualification spot. The Red Knights in second with 47 points are Al Jazira's nearest challengers for the title while the visiting Cheetahs are just three points behind at third. The final day of round 22 sees four relegation strugglers in action; Hatta travel to Dubai to take on an Al Shabab side struggling to end a five-match winless league run that sees them drop to eighth place with 25 points, just one place and four points ahead of their opponents in the 17:50 kick-off. A classic relegation six-pointer sees rock bottom Bani Yas host fellow relegation-strugglers Sharjah, whose 20-points-tally put them at tenth place, just seven points afloat of the drop zone. The round concludes at 20:45 on Friday evening at Al Maktoum Stadium where sixth-placed Al Nasr host 12th Kalba.
AL AIN 5-2 AL DHAFRA AL AHLI 0-0 AL WASL AL SHABAB 1-1 HATTA BANI YAS 2-2 SHARJAH AL NASR 2-1 KALBA
Four Friendlies for UAE Youth National Team Dubai/ Sunday, April 9, 2017: in preparation for AFC U19 Championship Qualifiers, UAE Youth National Team (players born 1999) two friendly games versus Jordan on 13 April at Al Hassan Stadium and 15 April 2017 Amman International Stadium in Irbid city, followed by two friendly matches versus Egypt on 28 and 30 April 2017 at Theyab Awana Stadium in UAE FA headquarter in Dubai. The Technical Staff is seeking to provide Youth National Team with more international experience and ensure that the players are in peak technical & physical readiness. The coach Jamal Al Hassani, called up 22 players: Nahyan Al Swaidi, Fahad Al Hamadi, Tahnon Al Zaai (Al Wahda), Saif Al Mehairi, Abdulrahman Radi, Saeed Al Kaabi, Saif Al Hamadi (Sharjah), Yosouf Al Mehairi, Khalil Al Balooshi, Abdulla Al Dwasri (Al Shabab), Raed Al Balooshi, Hareb Al Raeesi, Omar Ahmed (Dubai) Abdulla Tariq, Khalfan Al Noobi (Al Ahli), Hamad Al Balooshi, Mohamed Srawaishi (Al Nasr) Mohamed Al Ali, Saeed Al Dhaheri (Al Shaab), Yosouf Al Mansoori (Al Jazira), Aisa Hamdan (Ajman) and Hamdan Al Mansoori (Dibba Al Hisin).
Selection of 23 players for U-16 National Team Dubai/ Sunday, April 9, 2017: Training Centers U-16 League was concluded yesterday evening, where Technical Department and Coaches of Training Centers were succeeded in selection 23 players from the 72 players participating in this season 2016 – 2017. The last round of the league was staged at UAE FA pitches in Al Khwaneej with the participation of 72 players, 33 of whom were selected yesterday for UAE U-16 National Team (player born 2003). Rashid Amer, Head of Training Centers Department said that the players in various positions were assessed during the league matches running from November 2016 till today, in order to select them for U-16 National Team. We will work in the coming phase on increasing their skills and harmonize method of play. He thanked coaches of Training Centers for their efforts and wished the selected players all the best. The selection process was supervised by Obaid Al Shamsi, Technical Director, Belhassen Malouche, Director of Technical Department and coaches of Training Centers. UAE FA will organize the first training camp from 1 to 5 May 2017, during which the National Team will play two friendlies versus Japan at Dhaib Awana Stadium on 3 and 5 May 2017 respectively.
Group Stage: 10-04-2017 AL JAZIRA (UAE) 0 - 0 AL FATEH FC (KSA) AL HILAL SFC (KSA) 1 - 0 AL WAHDA (UAE) 11-04-2017 AL AIN (UAE) - AHLI JEDDAH FC (KSA) AL TAAWOUN FC (KSA) - AHLI DUBAI FC (UAE)
Group Stage: 11-04-2017 AL AIN (UAE) 2-2 AHLI JEDDAH FC (KSA) AL TAAWOUN FC (KSA) 1-3 AHLI DUBAI FC (UAE)
AL WAHDA 1-2 AL AHLI AL DHAFRA 5-0 DIBBA AL WASL 4-3 AL AIN AL WASL COMPLETE HISTORIC COMEBACK OVER AL AIN 15/04/2017 Al Wasl came from 0-3 down after half an hour to complete a famous comeback after Fabio de Lima scored at the death as they beat Al Ain 4-3 at Zabeel Stadium in round 23 of the Arabian Gulf League. The result means Al Wasl pips Al Ain into third place with 48 points while Al Ain drop back to fourth with 46. Al Ain started strongly and striker Yousef Ahmed brushed Omar Abdulrahman's cross from the left wing to put Al Ain in front midway through the first half. The duo combined again a minute later with Abdulrahman finding Ahmed with a deft lobbed pass and the latter outmuscling his marker and sending a dinked finish past Al Wasl goalkeeper Humaid Abdulla to double the visitors lead. In the 29th minute, Abdulrahman and Ahmed showed telepathic understanding as Al Ain's number 10 found the young forward with another chipped pass inside Al Wasl's area. Ahmed squared the ball first time on the half-volley for Caio Lucas who dived to head home a third Al Ain goal inside the first half an hour. The hosts found a way back into the game when Caio Canedo dribbled past Al Ain's Ahmed Barman from the right flank and moved inside the area. The tenacious defensive midfielder held on to the Brazilian, bringing him down and the referee pointed to the spot. Al Wasl's number 7 stepped up and converted the penalty kick to give The Cheetahs a glimmer of hope before the break. Ten minutes after the restart, Caio reduced the deficit further, powering in a header from Ronaldo Mendes' free-kick from the left flank to make it 2-3. Al Wasl's top goalscorer this season Fabio de Lima completed The Cheetahs' comeback in the 77th minute, showing a great fighting spirit to get on the end of Khaleil Khameis' header, hold on to the ball before twisting and finishing from six yards to bring The Cheetahs level. The hosts pushed on and with seconds left on added time, Ronaldo Mendes showed his skills to dribble into Al Ain's penalty area and send a cross that Khaled Essa pushed back on to Mendes' path. The latter persisted and squared it to Lime who finished from point-blank to gift Al Wasl the unlikeliest of wins against their direct Champions League spot rivals.
Ajman to AGL and Dubai Await One Point Conclusion of Round 20 of 1st Division League Dubai/ Sunday, April 16, 2017: Ajman qualified to Arabian Gulf League (AGL) following its 3 – 2 victory over Fujairah to grasp the first qualification card with 42 points. Dubai won RAK 2 – 0 to reach 40 points waiting for only one point from its two remaining matches to hijack the second card for AGL. The matches of Round 20 were concluded with Ajman won Fujairah 3 – 2. Ajman goals were scored by reda Hajoj and Edilson de Milo (2 goals) at the minutes 7, 30 and 46 respectively, while Toskano and Hassan Matouq scored for Fujairah at minute 56 and 89. Dubai becomes in need for only a point to reach AGL following its victory yesterday 2 – 0 over RAK. Esam Juma scored the two goals for Dubai at minutes 57 and 93. In the remaining matches of the round, Al Orooba equalized Al Shaab 3 – 3, Al Khaleej draw Dibba Al Hissin 2 – 2, Masfout Won Al Dhaid 3 – 0 , and Al Hamria won over Al Arabi 2 – 1. Game week 20 Al Khaleej 2 - 2 Dibba Al Hisn Al Urooba 3 - 3 Al Shaab Masfut 3 - 0 Al Thaid Dubai 2 - 0 Ras Al Khaima Al Fujairah 2 - 3 Ajman Al Hamriyah 2 - 1 Al Arabi Game week 21 22/4/2017 Al Arabi - Al Fujairah Ajman - Dubai Ras Al Khaima - Masfut Al Thaid - Al Urooba Al Shaab - Al Khaleej Dibba Al Hisn - Al Hamriyah
A win and A lose Versus Jordan Dubai/Sunday, April 16, 2017: UAE Youth National Team won its first friendly versus Jordan 2 – 1 and lost its second game 1 – 0 to the same opponent. The friendly games are played within UAE Youth National Team preparation for AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers scheduled next October. The win achieved through the two goals scored by Yousuf Ayman and Khalfan Al Noobi. The White will have a gathering once again on 27 April to play two friendly matches against Egypt on 28 and 30 April at Thyab Awana Stadium in UAE FA Headquarter in Dubai, with the aim of advancing technical and tactical readiness for players.
UAE Beach Soccer National Team Delegation Arrive Bahama Bahama/ Sunday, April 16, 2017: UAE Beach Soccer National Team arrived yesterday morning in the Bahamas in anticipation for its participation in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Following a 26 hour flights, the national team commenced a training camp to familiarize the players with environment. The squad includes 14 players: Mohamed Hamza, Humaid Jamal, Mohamed Al Bahri, Waleed Mohamadi, Waleed Abashar, Ahmed Abashar, Ali Hassan Karim, Haitham Al Sabah, Ali Mohamadi, Kamal Ali, Mohamed Muftah, Abbas Naseri, Husham Al Muntaser and Rami Al Musaabi. Captain Al Mazmi, the coach said that the participation of the White in World Cup for the fifth time is important achievement; especially many players participated previously in the World Cup and this will support the other players. He stressed that the preparatory program is going on as it was planned by National Teams Department, where we have concluded three weeks in Dubai and now we are going to complete the last and important period before commencement of the tournament. He added, we have arrived in Bahamas in appropriate time and we will play friendly games versus Bahamas, Italy and Switzerland. Now we are working on raising players’ focus and all players are in peak condition. The team conducted light training session to get rid of jetlag and exhaustion as the players crossed more than one time zone. The draw conducted by FIFA last month seeded the White at the top of the third group, alongside Paraguay, Portugal and Panama. Our national team will meet Paraguay on 28 April followed by Panama on 30 April and concludes the group stage against its last opponent Portugal on 2nd May 2017.
Al Hadad Call-up 20 Players for Italy Friendly U-16 Tournament Dubai/Sunday, April 23, 2017: The Coach of U-16 National Team (born 2002), Abdulrahman Al Hadad called-up 20 players for the friendly tournament to be staged in Italy from 24 April to 2nd May 2017, with the participation of Italy, Japan, Portugal and UAE. The squad includes 20 players: Mubarak Tariq, Abdulrahman Adel, Abdulla Rakan, Nwaf Jumaa, Abdulrahman Saleh, Hareb Abdulla, Abdulla Al Romaithi, Manei Al Nofali, Abdulla Darweesh, Khalifa Al Ali, Khalifa Yousuf, Hamdan Humaid, Hamad Al Qwuodi, Jamal Al Zaabi, Humaid Al Blooshi, Mohamed Ahmed Ashoori, Maed Al Tenaiji, Sultan Al Hafaiti, Humaid Al Hosani and Ali Al Naqbi. Technical and Administrative staff includes: Rashid Amer, Training Centres’ Supervisor; Younis Abdulrahman, Team Manager; Abdulrahman Al Hadad, Coach; Ali Ahmed, Assistant Coach; Fuaad Darweesh, Goalkeepers Coach; Khaldon Al Koulob, Doctor; and Munir Al Jazaierly, Physiotherapist. Our National Team will meet Japan on 25 April, Portugal on 26 April and Italy on 27 April 2017. The Coach Al Hadad is seeking to prepare the national team well before its prospective participation in AFC U-16 Championship Qualifiers scheduled next September, where UAE will play in a group besides Yemen, Qatar and Bangladesh.
Dubai CSC returned to the Pro-League after 3 years absence Dubai beat Ajman, who qualified last week with a 2-0 victory to ensure a return to the spotlight. Dubai needed only one point to qualify after the end of the 20th round but scored 3 points leading them to the top of the standings. The conflict between the two teams continues on top of the table until the last round of competition, with Dubai will face Al Arabi, while Ajman meet Masfut. 22/4/2017 Al Arabi 4-2 Al Fujairah Ajman 0-2 Dubai Ras Al Khaima 4-3 Masfut Al Thaid 1-1 Al Urooba Al Shaab 2-1 Al Khaleej Dibba Al Hisn 0-0 Al Hamriyah Final Round 27/04/17 Al Khaleej - Al Thaid Dibba Al Hisn - Al Shaab Al Urooba - Ras Al Khaima Masfut - Ajman Dubai - Al Arabi Al Fujairah - Al Hamriyah
24-04-2017 AL WAHDA (UAE) - AL RAYYAN SC (QAT) ZOBAHAN FC (IRN) - AL AIN (UAE) 25-04-2017 ESTEGHLAL FC (IRN) - AL AHLI FC (UAE) AL JAZIRA (UAE) - LEKHWIYA SC (QAT)